Egyptian leather exports have risen by 22 percent in spite of Egypt's recent political instability. The leather sector registered 420 million EGP (U.S. $70.7 million) in exports during early 2011, a 22 percent increase over the same period in 2010. Leather exports included products of brand names of White Blue, Vanish and Krast. "Our main markets are in Europe and Asia so our leather exports weren't affected by the Arab uprisings,” Hisham Gazar, chairman of the exporting council of leather, told Youm7. He said insecurity in markets is the most prominent effect on the leather market. He warned if the state of insecurity and acts of bullying continue, they will negatively affect the exporting process. Gazar blamed the recession and the reduced rates of cattle slaughter for the crisis the sector is witnessing recently. The crisis is leading to discussions on exporting to only Krast leather and not to White Blue.
